Retreating longwall face mining machine



Sept. 22, 1931.

.A. M. MARICN EIT AL RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING MACHINE Filed March '7. 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1931. A. M, MARION ET AL RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1927 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept, 22, 1931. A. M. MARION ET Al.

RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING MACHINE Filed March 7, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept.l 22, 1931. A. M. MARION ET AL RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING' MACHINE til-lill gwlwnto Sept. 22, 1931. A. M. MARION ET AL 1,824,727

RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING MACHINE Filed March 7, 192'1 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 22, 1931. AI M. MARION ET AL 1,824,727

Y RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINLNG MACHINE Filed March '7, 1927 7 S'eelzS-Shee'I 6 Mm, A@ SSM YIIIIIA Sept. 22, 93., A. M. MARION E1' AL RETREATING LONGWALL FACE MINING MACHINE Filed March '7, 1927 7 SheetS-Sheeb 7 Patented Sept. 22, 19,31l

UNITED;f STjATEs Paine;Nrl oFF-ICE j i yg ALEXANDER VMQ MARION; OFPITTSBURGEAND EMIL demi-RY, oncANoNsuBG,

PENNSYLVANIA cutter adapted toprod'uce al horizontal kerl into which they frame' is rnoved,-y andalso sup-A porting a conveyor traveling at lright angles f5? to`thelongitudinalaxis of the body for receiving theundercut material anddelivering the same at one side of said Ibo'dy portion.-.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a machine ofthe above type wherein 'f the 'frame carryingthe conveyor is provided with a supDOltllgplate over which the conveyor travels,y whichsupporting plate aids the conveyor in the supporting of the-mate# rial. t l y Y still urtherfobject of `the' invention is to provide a machine of the above'ty'pe-where'-` inl the travelingfcutter is in the form of'an endless traveling cutter bar', and wherein said cutterfbar is operated by ai driving'device mounted on the body portion of the machine.

A sti-lil 'further object of the invention is to provide' a machine ofv the above type-with a vertical frame carrying'a traveling-cutter bar for cuttinga 'vertical kerl adjacent one e-nd ot the horizontal frame, said vertical iframe being mounted on the-body of, the machine anidgcapable of beingV swungin a ver tical direction for shifting the positiony of the vertical cutting'- bar.- f A still further object of thel inventionis' to provide a mechanicallyactuating' mecha-1- n-ism for shifting said vertlicalffranie.

A sti-ll further obj-ect otheinvention is; tof provide said vertical tramewith tension pad-s adapted to bear against thebody of the machine for holdingjsaid' vertical" 'frame in tension and prevent-ingz undue' vibration thereof during the operation of thevertical cutter ser bar. t ,58 i A still further object of tl'ieinvent-ion is FACE' MINING iuricHIivii" toipr'ovidejsaid vertical frame avvith blocks which are adapted to be `shifted by.

manuallycontrolled. mechanically actuating meansso thatsaids pressure blocksfmayebe v placediinzsetrposition to bear; against-the 55 side wall of :the` vertical kerf to; guide and steady e -thevertical' frame in its Y. forward travehs and ywhichnalso may be; operated: to.v cause vpressure to beapplied against the vertical'wall of the. undercut material forl breakf so ing down. said material. y 1 Y A .i still,v `further Y. obiect .of `the --invention p is to *provide-a -macliine of. the above type. wherein vthe Abody portion, .carries a, verticalY standardfcapable of being adjusted. as toL miV heighftgrfand at the upper. end of. 'whichis-af projecting bracket .carrying av recess cutter for cuttingza recess: in the sidewall of Vthe-` materialsadj acent` the roollthereof inj 4which asupporting roof beam canlbeiplacerl.'

' These andl other Vobjects willimparhbe obviousand will. in part be hereinafter .more fullydisclosed. Y l.. l Y In the drawings'whichl show by way .of il: lustration -oneV embodiment of the inven- 'Z5 tion@y i t, Fi'gzl is'ai view partly insection andvpartly'r indplan portions thereof broken away tovshow 'the structure` ofv the: machine;

"'Flgj 2 'is` av view partly in sectionV and 80'- partly-in side elevation of the machine;

` 1li-gf?) 'is a -sectionalfview transversely of lthetmachzine and centrally of the forwardlyA projecting horizontal vtrarne;

Fi-ge 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional? 8&2 view Yth'rougli the frame and one ofthe con-- veyorsr; f Y Y 'Y Y i i' t f Fi-g. 'is ase'ctional view on'-tl1elinej5;-'5 ofFigul; i '7, i

"Figa' is a sectional view on the linee-"6A 9U/ ofIFigf/l; *i I f Fig; 7 isia view partlyin section and show ing more orv less di'agrammaticallythehy-1 draulic -meansfor operating thevv pressure blocks; t u FiggpS .is-'an enlarged sectional? detail show# ing oneof the pressure blocks and theiwedgel for operating theisaxne;v- 1 Y v Y *4 FigcQ is. a sectional vieWKl-ongitu'dinally of; the vertical"I frame oarryingthe'vertically 100 operated cutting bar, and showing a modified form of actuating mechanism for the pressure blocks Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cutter for forming the recess for the roof beam;

Fig# 11 is a sectional view of the Atransmission mechanism for controlling'the caterpillars which support and operate the mining machine; and Y Fig. 12 is a sectional view through one of the tension pads carried by the frame which suports the vertical'cutter.

The invention is directed broadly toa mining machine capable of continuously cutting, shearing, breaking down and loading. the material solely bythe kuse of .traveling cutter bars and pressure blocks without the use of explosives. The `machine is particularly adapted for use in connection with the long wall system of coal mining. The machine consists of a body portion mounted on tractors which. are independently driven and controlled, so that the machine may be propelled either in a forward direction or rearwardly and guided in its movements. At the forward end of the body portion and eX- tendTingall the way across the same is a horizontally projecting frame. Mountedon this frame is a travelling cutter bar which travels across the front end of the frame and cuts a kerf in the material into which the frame may be moved by the forward movement f the body portion ofthe machine. v This traveling cutter bar maybe of any well known endless type. It travels across the front side of the frame where the cutting is performed,

then underneath the frame which is elevated for thisfpurpose, and then across kthe front tend of thek body portion, of the machine Y where it engages actuating mechanism therefor. The frame is attached to the Abody by deviceswhich enable shims or other means to be used for shifting ,the supported position of the frame, and thus taking-up the slack in the endless cutter bar. There is a connection between the frame andthe body of the machine which permits this adjustment vin a direction ,longitudinally of the frame, but which lprevents any movement ofthe frame on the body thereof laterally of the body. porting plates which underlie the undercut material, and traveling across these platesV are two'conveyors. The conveyors are located side by side, and are formed of a series of connected links. fThese conveyors receive the `material which is undercutfwheny it is broken down. vThe plates support the conveyors, and the conveyors travel in adirec-` tion transversely'of the longitudinal axis of thebodyfportion ofithe machine, and thus receive and dump the material at one side of the machine.' Mounted on the body portion of the'machine' isa vertically swinging frame Mounted on the frame areV supwhich is located at one end of the horizontal frame. This vertically swinging frame is provided with an endless vertical cutter bar which cuts a vertical kerf into which the vertical frame is moved when the machine moves forward. The vertical frame is pivoted to the body portion of the machine, and tension pads are provided which bear against the body portion to prevent excessive vibration in the vertical frame.V Pressure blocks are also provided on said vertical frame which may be shifted and placed in set positions so as to bear' ag'fainst the vertical wall ofthe material in the vertical kerf. These pressure blocks, when properly set, serve to guide the-vertical frame in its forward travel. These pressure blocks may also be moved by actuating wedges *for exerting a pressure against the material for breaking it down. The vertical frame is capable of being shifted, as noted, and this is accomplished by manually v controlled mechanically actuating mechanism. Also mounted on the body of the machine is a vertical standard which carries a laterally projecting bracket at its upper end. The standard is capable of adjustment for varying the height thereof. At the outer end of this bracket is a cutter for cutting a recess in the vertical wall'which is adapted to receive a roof beam. This lrecess is cut rightl M achim; body structure The machine includes a body portionwhich is provided with means for propelling the same in a forward direction or rearwardly, and at different speeds. This body portion includes a vmain framel structure 1 which isV mounted on caterpillar tractors 2, 2, one atl each side of the machine. These caterpillar tractors are of the usual construction and will not need detail description. They are operated by a motor M mounted on the frame of the machine.l This motor carries a gear 3 which meshes with a vgear 4 on a shaft 5. which shaft is journaled in suitable `bearings carried'by the frame. v On the hub of the gear 4 is a second gear 6, and this second gear meshes with a gear 7 on a shaft 8.` The shaft 8 carries two gears 9 and 10. The 'gears 9 and 10 are connected to` the transmission mechanism-for the tractors by a train of gears so proportioned that the gear 10 will givei reageer,

on alsleeve .15; The'ether train' of. mechanism meshes- Withaworm 'gear 14 'likewise freely monntedonfthe sleevel 15.r` This l'sleeveslis carried by a' shaftjl.' ylaral'lel to the shaft 17 isa rsecondfshaft 18. (See Fig. 11.) n A gear 19 is yformed as apart 'of the sleeve 15, andthe Jseeve' is keyed to the" shaft 17. This .gear .1Q-meshes With'a gear 2O which is` keyed/to the shaft 18. A clutch collar 21 isl on a stubishaft 24, This stub shaft 24 carries agear 25 which meshes with gears26 `and 2'? freely ymounted "on` the shafts 17 .i and 18,:y reL spectively. A clntchficollar 28 is used for connecting thej shaft 17- to' the gear :26, .and when so-connected', then .the tractor at one side the machine'is driven in `forward direction :and at `a relatively slow speed. There isla'hlntch collar29 whichy is adapted toconnect the'shaft 18 with the gear`27', andy When sofconnected, then th'eftractor will be driven from the shaft 18 in a rearward direc-y tion.. Y. .V t VAt thejopposite side .of .the machine there,

is-"a sprocket WheelBO vfor drivingthe other trac-Stor.: This "sprocket WheelBO is connected to agear 81 Whichvfnieshes with gearsA 32 and; 33, and'thesegears 32 and 33 are-controlled,

respectively, by clutch collars 34 and 85;' The clutch collarsareshifted by means ofhandn edi actuated members 36, 86. The details as to the 'control `of these clutch" collars 1s not thought necessary to an understanding of the present invention. vIt `Will' be noted', howeven Lthatlby` these control levers landv the transmission mechanism described above, the machinelcan be propelled 'from the motor nmounted on the body thereof, either in `a forward 1direction -or in a rearward direction. It-can bevpropelled at tWo different speeds, and fthe tractors can be independently controlled for tnrning or gniding'the machine.

vAt the forward end of thema'chine there is aihorizontal frame 38. This .frame extends all theway 'across the front end of the machine,from one side'thereof to the other, and projectsto the left ofthe inachiney as viewed in Fig. 1.. ..Thfe fr-amehas a vertically eXtendc ing supporting member '39 and ahorizontally extending member 40. yThe vertical member isl attached to the frontend ofthe machine bysuiabie'boits in, 41a; Thisverticameme ber has a rearwardlyproj-ecting fin -411Whi`ch isV adapted to engage in a recess 42'in the v yframe (seeFig. 1)'. Said finfreely engages in the recess, but is of such proportions yas to prevent anylateral movement'cf the frame relative'to 'the body-of the machine.A Y. ItLpermits, however, the frameto be adjusted in aV direction longitudinallyof they frame, and

'this may be done by loosening the bolts which attach the frameto theV body of the machine and Y.ir'isertifng' shims l.or plates-43 I betweenv the vframe .and the body portion of the machine.` Thehorizontal portion of the frame .is provided tvith vertically extending' ribs-44 and 45.. These are strengthening ribs, andthe ribs 45 also support a steel plate 46 which extends lfrom end .to endofthe frame, and from one side thereof tothe other.

VSupported on this horizontalvframe isa horizontal cutter bar .which cuts'a kerf'i-n the material. This cutterbar is indicated .at

47 in the drawings. Itvtravels Vin aa suitable guiding channelcarried bya cutter barsnpport 48 Which is a part lof the'frame 38. The

cutter bar, asshoivn inFig. 1, extendsiallY the Way 'across the frontend of the machine.:

Th'ehorizontal portion ofthe frame is of suc-h dimensions that it'inay move into the kerf `cut bythe horizontal cutter bar'. :Said cutter- `bar is provided With'thensual `cuttingtools.-

49. Thecutter barv extends along thefront side yof the frame 38, vthence underneath the'- portion 40a of the horizontalrframe,@thence across the frontend of the machine -ivh'eretj lengages driving sprocket .gearV 50'. The;

horizontal cutter bar then travels about. thek vright-hand end of the frame 40, asV viewed. in

Fig; 1, andacross the front side ofthe frame,

as noted above. i The sprocket gear 50'is` car-y riedE by a shaft 51 which is ournaled in suitV able bearings carried bythe body'l ofthe machine. The shaft 51 carries a Worm gear 52 at its upper end, which meshes with a Worm gear 53- on the shaft 54 of .the motor M.

Thus itis that the motorMop'erates the-hor-1 The driving mechanism for thishorizontal cutter bar is carried by the,"

izontal cutter bar.

main body portion of the machin-adv and the fink'and'recess connection between the frame 40 and the body portion ofthe machine 'pre.

vents'ianylateral movement ofthe frame on.

the machine, due to'the cutting thrusts-on thelcutterbar.V Y Y. v I. y U0'mim/ieg.mechamlsm4 i n y y The horizontal frame 40 is provided `with a central projecting rib 55 Which projects above and below the main portion of the frame 40.v

Traveling on opposite ksides `of this rib 55 areV endless conveyors 56 and 57;v These' end'- less conveyors are similar` in construction, and? it' ivillonly be necessary-to ydescribe one cfs the conveyors. The conveyor 56 runs over l the top of the horizontalframe and voventhe plate 46, and travels between the rib and a raised rib 58 at the inner side of the frame 40.

. The conveyor itself is made up of aseries of connected links 59, 59'. These'links are all similar `in constructiomand each link is provided with a projection or lug 60. The links arepivoted-together in the usual way. The

links1 arejoinedso thatV the projections 60.

throughout the centrall portion of the conveyor, as viewed in Fig. 5, project upwardly after the manner shown in Fig. 6, while the links atfthe sides ofthe conveyor, project downwardly Yas viewed in Fig. 5. The purpose of the downwardly projecting members is tofprovide lugs which cooperate with sprocket wheels for driving the'conveyor,

and the purpose ofthe upwardly projecting lugs is to insure a propergripping contact with thematerial which falls on to the conveyor for conveying the material. A plate 61 is carried by the rib 55 and overlies the edge of the conveyor, while a plate 62 is carri'ed by the rib V58 and likewise overlies the lside edge of the conveyor. This endless convveyor runs over sprocket wheels carried by arshaft 63 at one end of the frame as viewed in Fig. l, and over sprocket. wheels carrie-d j bya shaft 64 at the other end of the frame.

The' endless conveyor 57 also runs over sprocketwheels fon this shaft 64 and over sprocket wheels on a shaft 63a at the other end of thev frame.V The shaft 64 is driven by a rbevelgear 65 which meshes with a bevel gear (36, carried by a shaft mounted ina bracket 67 i This *stubY shaft which carries the bevel gear 66 `is driven by shaft 68 which has a universal connection with a shaft 69. The shaft 69 has a splined connection with a gear 7() and is capableof endwise movement in this gear 70. The gear 7 0 meshes with a gear 7].v on a counter-shaft which carries a gear meshing in turn with a gear 72 on the end of the motor shaft 54. Thus it is that the motor M operj ates the endless conveyors, and the shaft 64 is made .capable of adjustment for taking up the slack-` in the endless conveyor. This is accomplished by the aid of screws 73, 7 3.

lAsshownfin Fig. Y3, the endless conveyor travels in afhorizo-ntal plane across the front i" ofthe machine, and it is then inclined upwardly so as to pass over the cutterV bar and alsoto pass over a suitable conveyor at the side of the machine for receiving' the material. The material being undercut bythe "i horizontal cuttenwhen broken down, will drop belts travel over these steel plates, they willv 'I convey the material transversely to the direcl machine.V

on to these endless conveyors, and the material will be supported by the steel plates beneath the conveyors. As the conveyor tion of the longitudinal axis of the machine and deliver the. same at one sideV of the The cutter bar cuts a kerf which is deep enough to allow the horizontal frame with'its associated conveyor to be moved into theker'f. The tractors of the machine may be so connected to the operating .motor as to gradually feed the machine forward,gasthe horizontal cutter bar cuts its' kerf, and 'thus a` horizontal kerf is formed, and this frame with its conveyor is gradually carried intothe kerf and willreceive at any time the material breaking down and convey it toV one side of the machine, so as not to interfere with the forward travel of the machine.y Y

As noted above, the machine is particularly adapted for operation in what is often referred to as a long wallv system of'coal mining. It will be understood, of course, that the wall is at the right of the machine, and the horizontal cutter cuts a'horizontal kerf extending inwardly from the Wall thereof, and as the material is broken down, it will be delivered by the conveyor 'to' the left-hand side of the machine or into the space alongside of the previously cut long wall.

Vertical leef/f cutting mechanism,

The machine is also provided with a verti-l cal kerf cutting mechanism whichis located at the right of the machine.

' This Vcuts a vertical kerfin the efiqect,forms a new long wall. The vertical c utter is located at the extreme-right-hand..` side of the machine so as to cut a kerf in the material so disposed tlat when the material between this vertical cutter and the outer wall-is broken down, it will leave a proper space for the forward movement of the ma- ,material back from the long wall referred to, and inl on the shaft 5. The gear wheel 4 is freely Y mounted on the shaft 5 and is connected to the shaft 5 by means of a clutch collar 78 controlled by-a hand lever 37.- AThus it is that the motor Mv may be used for operating the shaft 5, and for operating the vertical cutterk 76. The frame74, as noted above,.is shift-l able-about the axis of the'shaft 5 as a center. This is accomplished by means of a segmental rack 79 which is fixed to the frame 74 and a gear'80 which meshes with said `segmental rack. The gear 80 is mounted on a shaft carrying a worm gear which meshes Witha worm gear 81 on a shaft 82. The shaft 82 carries a wormngear at its other end, which meshes with a worm gear 83 loosely mounted on the shaft 5. A clutch collar 84 is Splined to said shaft 5 and may be connected to the v gear for operating the gear 80 which will as stated.

cause the frame 74 to be' shifted lin ka verticall plane about the axis of kthe shaft ascenter. Theframe 7 4 is providedwithaseries ofre-1 cesses see Fig. 12)'.V- Located in Veach recess 85 is a .pressure pad 86.l This pad 86 carries a limiting holt 87 providedwith anut 8,8; A spring 89 hearsagainst the innere-side ofthe-padSS. Thisspringalso inturn bears against a plate -90 which is secured to the freine I4 by means -of-bolts 91, 91. Plates or shims 92 may be placed ybetween this plate and the frame, and thus the tensionof the spring 89 on thefpadisvaried.,-v Thesefpadsare so disposed that they bear-,against a segmental plate 9 8 on the frame of the machine (see Fig. 2)', gAsi indicated in this :,igure, ,there are four Ofrthese pressure pads, *The ,purpose of these padsis toputv a tension-onthe frame 74;

sopas to prevent vibrations in this framedilringvthe operation of the verticalloutter bar. The pads bearingagainst the segmental plate willforce'the frame outward.lyV at this point, whichfis sorne distance from; its pivotalsupport, and thus put the fraineunder tension,

rlhe vertical Vframe is also provided -with pressure loloolrs.y Asjshownfin the drawings, there are two ofv these pressure blocks94 and 95. lThese pressurebloclsare similar in Cone f struction, and are operatedhy similar devices.v

Associated with each hloek'is a wedge 96 having an inclined face 97 and a'f'ace 98 which is parallel with the'jplane of-.thei vertical cutter har. This face98 of `the'wedge 96 rests andslides ona plate 99-carried by the frame 74. The pressure block 921 hasan inclined face 100 which engages thfeinolined face97; 0u the actuatingv wedge.Y Avholt 101 isca'rr-ied by the pressure block- 9/1 and extends y through a slot. inthe wedge 96.15 Theh-ad 102 of thabolthas aniinclined face whichV engages the inner recessediface ofthe wedge-,96. This head 102 overlies tl'ie .slot and thusprovides v a mean'sjwh'erebywhen the wedge; smoved to the right asviewedinFigi'S, it, will Withdraw the-block 94 so that it is flush or beneath the surface of the frame. Wl1en,-however, thiswedge is movedto ,the leftr as vlewedin this iigure`,then `the bleek is forced outwardfV ijnk The blockinay beinove'd outward a slight dstanee hv the manipulation Yofthey Wedge, and heldin such setposition-if the wedge is heid from movement., It may he, moved Yout to thehrolren line position, indicated in-Fig. These' pressure blocks-are well outtoward the end'ofA thel frame and-near thecutting region of the vertical-cutter har. 4Thepurpose of the blocks is twofold! These .blocks Willgeng'age the side wall-ofthe verticalk'e'rf it islforined, and themachine-progresses into the korf. The blocks may he movedlasuf? ing and `guiding members for the/vertical frame in its forwardtravel and tofsteady 1 itxagainst,undue vihrationf during the cutarea and`v ent distance only tofserve as support-v ting operation; rr lltie'other u rpose of ethese@ outingy 4blocks-is to break own fthe, under:

out material,V The wedges arefoperatedgb mechanism which! fis manually,V controlled; and at the: proper/,time may. be .foreed Otf wardly Vto the broken line positionv'indicated in=Fig- 8, and thus `pressure broughtto bear.

against the sidewallv of the -,verticalfkerf to;

force theinaterial so` that itwill-break down. 1t is understood, of c0urse, that in coallmining, the coal often hasa grain,Y The pressure 'j l blocks-are staggered, and Vthus it isxthatfby ythe operation of these'blooks, ythe pressure can hefdistributed over a ylarge longitudinal zreaking down of undereutvmate-` rialfassured. j@ These wedges `maybe moved: forward and back any desired typeof actuating meoliYA l ansni. .We prefer,v however, to use ar.hly., draullc mechanism `A-for this purpose. This hydraulicV mechanism ris .illustrated in Figs,

ures 1 and 7,- To each Wedgezis attached a piston rod .103, This. piston rod7 103 is cone, nested to aI piston 104. working in' a cylinder 105., .There is, ofcourse, a pistonfrod andfeyIinder for `eaolrvvedge, asshown in Fig, ,Y where the piston rod` for one ofthe wedges kis indicated at 103 and for theotherA Wedgeis indicated at `1033. The pistontrod 103is associated with acylinder. 106'and` the piston rod 103a is associated` with a cylinder; 10.6, `'Ihese pistons are operated hydraulicah ly, andjln orderv that ,this vmay ,he f accom; plished, a pipe 107 fis lconnectediat the outer end of the cylinder 106, andapip'elOS is. con.

neeted to the outerend ofthecylinder106%'` v i' Ihese pipes lead :to a comniompipe 109 which.

in turnis conneetedtoa? control casing 110,.:

Agip@ 11i is Connected es the other end ofthe c vhnder.106, whilea pipe i ,-112 is: likewise,

connected to the other lendV of Y the-. cy1i`n'der 106?. These pipes l1.11 and i112A are connected. toa common pipe 113V which ,inl turnis kcon-V neeted totheeasing L1 These pipes wilhof course, be, of: such a. flexiblek ,character or provided withiexihle `connections `so asatoz permit the free swingingof the Cutter frame,` Mounted'for reciproeationin this easing 110 '1s-a valve. lrod 114.'. Oilunder pressure is supe pliedtozthe `casing.110` through a port 115.

The casing is provided with @ports 116, and

11'? V.which jarefeonneeted withfa supply reservoir. ,When the piston rod 1141 is i in the.posi tion showninFig.. Aj the pipes 109 and 1.13, are cutoff, or sulostantially-s0. If 'thefvf'lve rod 114 kis'raised as viewed in this figure,`.that is, withdrawn from `theeasingg -thenthe pipe 109 will be Connected tothe-oil suppiylundeipressure, and the pipe i 113 will be;` connected Y to; the reservoir. .VVhen'this piston rodff114" is 'moved linto thecasing to the proper'extent, then the pipe 113 .will he connected tothe pressure supply, V hile the lpipe 109 willbe connected tothe storage reservoinj t llhevalve rodi 1.14: s-smlseted `bi elink 11s te ,a mrtl'lever'iia 1 "This cntrol lever is pivoted at 12() to arock lever-121,and the rock lever 121is in. turn pivoted to a link .,122 whichis connected to a cross bar V123.

This cross bar in turn is connected to a pin 124 on the piston rod 103 and toa pin 125 on the piston rod 10321. The other end of the lcver119 is connected by a link 126k to a rock lever 127'. This rock lever 127 is "connected t'o'a threaded collar 128 on a screw 'shaft 129 which is capable of being turned by a hand wheel130.

y .y turning the hand wheel in the proper direction, the lever 119 can be raised so that the'pivotal connection a between the lever and the link 126 may be moved to the position indicated at x'. When vthe vlever is thus raised', it turns aboutthe point 120 as a fixed fulcrum',v and this will raise-the valve rod andconnect the pipe 109 Awith the oil pressure supply; At the same time, the pipe 113 is connected with the storage reservoir, and

this will cause the pistons to move to the left as viewed in Fig. 7, and as the pistons move tothe left, they .willoperate the wedges so as to move the pressure blocksoutward. This movement of the pistons to, the left, as

viewedY in Fig.V 7, will operate through the rock lever 121 to lower the fulcrum point 120 of the lever 119,:the lever now swinging` about the point 'a as a fixed fulcrum, and this will move the valve rod down and cut ofi:I the oil pressure supply to the cylinders.` In other Vwords, the pressure blocks `can be moved to the desired extent and held in set position. Furthermore, any giving away ofthe material thus releasing the pressure blocks so that the pistons will move still further along` thek cylinders, will, through the compensating device, lthat is, the cross vbar 123 and the parts associated there-With, move thev'alve rod and thus cause the pistons in the cylindersto lbe retracted. It is understood, of'l'course, that the vibrations in the machine operating through the system `described above may cause slight movements of the .valverod,'but the vparts will so cooperate and co-act`as toV accomplish the de-` y sired resultsa'nd these slight movements in the piston rod will have the advantage of preventing the parts from sticking.

In orderl tov indicate the pressure. exerted on the wedges operatingthe pressure blocks,

pipes 131,131 are provided leading 'from the cylinders to pressure gauges 132, 132.

' InfFig.9 of the4 drawings, a modified form of actuating means for the Wedgesis shown. In' this `form ofthe invention, the rod 133 is substituted for the piston V rod l103 of the hydraulic control for the wedges. This rod 133 is ,providedwitli va threaded portion 134; A threaded collar 135 engages said threaded portion and lis located betweenthe Vbearing blocks 13 6 and 137' carried by thefra-me74 lwhich vs'upports'the vertical Acutter bar.

There is a ball trust bearing 138 between'the threaded f collar 135 and the bearing block 137. "The threaded collar 135 is provided with a gear 139. `This gear meshes with a pinion 140 which carries a worm gear 141 which in -turn meshes with a worm gear 142 carried by a shaft 143 of a motor M3. This Imotor is independent of the other two motors above described, and may be controlled. by hand so as to be operated for the purpose of turning the threaded collar and thus moving the rod 133 endwise. There is, of course, a separate rod for each wedge and a separate actuating threaded collar. The threads on the rod are of such pitch that the wedge will be held in any adjusted position. By operating the motor in one direction, the wedges may lbe drivenV forward, or by-operating the motor in the opposite direction, the wedges may be withdrawn. i

Roof beam recess cutting mechanism The body portion of the machine is provided with a standard 144. Located in this standard is a vertical shaft 145. The vertical shaft 145 has a splined engagement with a gear 146. The gear 146 meshes with a gear 147 whichrin turn meshes with a gear 148 mounted on the shaft 51. 'The shaft 51, as above noted, is operated by a motor M. Thus it is that the vertical shaft 145 is rotated, and this vertical shaft is capable of endwise movement in the standardV 144 without disturbing its connection with the operating mechanism therefor. The standard is provided with an inner sleeve 149, and the shaft 145 is Vj ournaled in suitable bearings in this sleeve. Mounted on the upper end of the 'sleeve is a bracket 150. Journaled in said bracket is a horizontal shaft 151, and theshaft is located adjacentv the extreme upper end of the Lbracket 150'. Said vshaft 151'l 'is provided' with a cutting-'tool 152. The

that the cutting tool 1 52 is rotated from the shaft 145. The shaft 151 carrying the cutting tool is capable'of endwise reciprocations in the bearings therefor, and the gear 153 is elongated to permit this adjustment of the shaft. vSaid shaft isV moved endwise by a rock lever 158 which is forked at its upper end to engage a collar 159. Intermediate the collar 159 andthe gear 153 is `a ball thrust bearing 160. The rock shaft isconnected by a link 161 to a piston rod 162 which in turn is connected to a piston 163. This Vpiston is mounted iny a cylinder-164. Fluid pressure may be admitted to the cylinder for operating onthe piston to move the rocklever so as toffee'd the tool forwardv into the material. The purpose'of this tool is to cut a recess for a roof beam. Thev sleeve 149 carrying theA lthe means `described above into the position so as toV cut a recess fortheroof beam. This standard is located a slight distance in from the vertical cutting bar, but thebraclret overhangs the vertical cutting bar Iso that the tool may be caused to cut a recess in the long vertical wall which is formed by the operation of the4 machine. v This recess 'is close tothe roof, and when a roof beam is placed therein, it can directly engage the roof and support the same. :The standard may be lowered after the tool iis withdrawnfrom the recess, and thus the machine moved about, said standard passing lunder the roof beams which have been placed. i j

The standard 'is raised by means of a rack 165`which is formed'inthe sideof the sleeve 149, and a pinion v166 carriedby a shaftlt? and meshing with said rack. This pinion may be operated by ahand-actuated' ratchet mechanism which includes a handglever v168. W'hen said hand lever turns the shaft v16,7 in one direction, thek sleeve willbe raised in the standard, kand when vturned in the opposite direction, the sleeve willbe lowered in the standard. f l i 1 In .orderto protect the `operator of themachine, -a roof plate"l69 isprovided. .This roof plate is provided. with a suitable open-` ing 170 through which-the recess cutter for P the roof beam can be raised and lowered.

Operation Theoperation of the machine is thought to be obvious fromthe'detail description which has been given. The machine is Vmoved about bythe caterpillartractors, andy is brought to a proper position `for underc'uttrng, sidecut.- ting and removing the material in a mine at one side of a long wall. T'h'e horizontal cutter 4is actuated by a motor carried .by the body of the machine, and will'cut a. horizontalkerl inwardly along the faceV leading; inwardly from the long wall.' The vertical cutter `bar will cut a vertical kerl. which is at the in ner end of the horizontal herf.l This vertical cutter bar caribe raised and lowered so as Vto cut a vertical kerf of the proper height. As

, the vertical kerf is out, the vert-ical frame cai" rying the verticalcutter bar moves' into said vertical kerl. The pressure blocks engage the side wall oftheV verticalv kerf and steady and guide the verticalframe and prevent said frame from undue vibration. The pressure padscarried bythe frame supporting the vertical cutter bar also bear against the segment plate on the lbody of the machine well Vout from the pivotal support of the frame for the Vertical cutter bar, and likewise prevent un*` due vibration in saidwertical frame. f At the proper time, thelpressure blocks are moved outward through the actuating means there for, and exert a pressure against the vundercut material so as to `break it down. As the material breaksdown fromthe cuttingor from the pressure blocks, it falls on to the endless conveyors, and will be supported by the steel `plates underneatlrthe same. Ifthe amount of material is very heavy, the `frame carrying the horizontal cutter will be brought down againstr the bottoni of the horizontal herf, and thus supported until the material has been' removed. The lconveyorsy will convey the material to one side of the machine where itmay be delivered on to other conveyors for delivery. The height of the vhorizontal lerf which is cut by the horizontal cute ter, may, ofcourse, be varied by varying the positionof the cutting toolsglt is essential, however, that it shall be of suilicient depth to receivethe horizontal frame withthe endit less conveyors associated therewith. Likewise, the cutting tools on the vertical cutting frame may` be adjusted .so as to vary the width of the vertical kerf.V It is essential that this Vlerf shall be wide enough to .receive thevertical frame of vthe mining machine.A lltr proper intervals, the recess cutter-is raised to a position adjacent the roof and moved forward so as tocut a recess in the new long side wall which has beenformed and Aaroof beam 'can be inserted in this reecss. y lt is obvious that minor changes'in tails of lconstruction and the ararngement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. j

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as newand desire to secure by Let# ters-Patent, isv

l'.k In ai longwall mining machine, the combination of a body portion, Y movable 'devices forsupportingand moving saidibody portion forward and back, a frame supported by said ybody portion andy projecting from and extending across the entire front end of said body portion and havingits lower face disposed in substantially the plane f of the lower faceol the supporting devices, a vertically disposed shaft carried by said body port-ionintermediate the sides thereof and adjacent the forward end thereof, means on said body portion for actuating saidshaft, an operating sprocket carried by said shaft a't the lower end thereof,"an endless travelingv cutl y ter movableacross the front portion of the triade v Frio projectingframe from one sideV ofthe body ,y

portiontothe other sidethereof` and over saidfsprocketwheel, anda conveyor disposed adjacent the `active portionV of the movabley cutter andtraveling; over the uppervface of the frame in a direction substantially at right angles4 to the forward movement of the bodyI portion, and means for adjusting thel frame longitudinally of the body portion of the ma# chine for taking up the slack in thetraveling its forward and back, a frame carried lby saidl body portion and projecting from and ei:- tending across the entire front end of said 9 body portion and having its lower face disposed in substantially the-plane of the lower face of the supporting devices, a traveling cutter lmovable in front of the projecting frame from one side of the body portion to the other side thereof for producing a horizontal kerftocreceiite the constantly advancing frame,and a conveyor disposed adjacent ythe active portion of the movable cutter and traveling over the upper face of said frame in a direction substantially at right angles to the forward movement 'of the body portion for conveying the material received thereon Y to one side of the body portion and out of the forward path of travel of the machine, said conveyor including a series of connected links having upwardly projecting lugs for engaging and moving the material received thereon. f Y

3. In a longwall mining machine, the combination Vof a body portion, movable devices for supporting and moving said body portion forward and back, a frame carried by said bodyp ortion and projecting from and extending across the entire front end of said body portion and having its lower face disposed in substantially' the plane of the lower .faceY of the supporting devices, a traveling cutterinovable in front of the vprojecting frame from one side of thebody portion to the otlieriside thereof for producing a horizontal kerf to receive the constantly advancing frame, and a conveyor disposed adjacent the active portion of the movablecutter and traveling over the upper face of said vframe in a direction substantially at right angles to the forward movement of the body portion for conveying the materia-l received thereon to one side of thebody portion and out of the forward-path of travel ofthe machine, said conveyor including a sei-ies of connected links having upwardly projecting lugs for engaging and moving the material received thereon, said conveyor having a plate extending from side to side thereof and located bevneath theV portionfof the conveyor carrying the material for supporting the conveyor.

4;. Ina longwall mining machine, the combination of a body portion, propelling means on which said body portion is mounted for f movement forward and back, a frame carried by saidbody portion and projecting from andextending across the entire front end vo fsa'id bodyportion and having its lower face disposed in substantially the plane of thel lower face of the propelling means, a

traveling vcutter movable across the front portion of said projecting frame from one side lof the body portion to the other side thereof for. producing a horizontal :kerf to receive the constantly advancing frame, a

second frame carried by the body portion at one side thereof, a vertically disposed traveling cutter mountedion said second frame for cuttingV a verticalkerf, and a conveyor independent of the traveling cutter vand traveling over theupper face of said first named frame in a direction substantially at right angles to the forward movement of the body portion for conveying the material-received thereonto one sideof the body portion and out of the forward path of travel of the machine, said second frame being movably connected to the body portion, and manually controlled power means for shifting said second frame. f Y 4,

'5.111 a mining machine, the combination f a body portion, means for supporting and propelling said bodyyportion, a horizontal lrerf cutting mechanism carriedby said body portion and adapted to be moved into the horizontalkerf vbeneath the undercut material, a vertically disposedjendless cutter chain-for cutting a vertical kerf, a frame movably connected to saidl body portion for supporting saidvertically disposedv cutter chain, a series ofspring pressed cushion pads carried by said frame, and means carried by said body portion 'against which said pads press for placing Vthe frame under tension and preventing vibrations therein.

6. In a mining machine, the combination of a body portion, means for supporting and propelling said body portion, a horizontal lrerf cutting mechanism carried by said body portion and adapted to be moved into the horizontal lrerf, beneath the undercut'material, a vertically disposed endless cutter chain for cuttingV avertical kerf, a frame movably connected to said body portion for Vsupporting said vertically disposed cutter for placing the frame under tension and preventing vibrations therein, .and means whereby the tension on each pad maybe independently adjusted.

' 7. In a mining machine, the combination of a body portion, means for supporting and propelling said body portion, a horizontal lrerf cutting mechanism carried 'byA said body portion, a conveyor Acarried by said body portion and adapted to be moved into the horizontal kerf beneath the undercut material, a vertically disposed endless cutter `chain for cutting a vertical kerf, a frame pivf oted to said body portion for supporting said vertical cutter chain, -manually controlled power means for shifting'said frame, a series of tension padscarried by said frame, and a resem? front of the projecting trame from; one side ot thebody portion totheotherside thereof, a motor mounted oir-said; bodyv portion'7 and* devices actuated' thereby for operating);l said cutter, a conveyor independentl ofthe travel` ing cutter and traveling overthe upper face of said? :tramein adirection `substa-ntiaflly `at right ang-les 1 to the fo rward movement of the body portion, meansn actuated' by said last namec'l motor for operating said conveyor, a vertical-ly disp'osedf frame at .one side; of said body portion,a-movable cutter carried thereby 'for cutting avertical korf, 'means' actuated byy said rst named motor. foroper?` ating said movable cutter f on vthe vertical frame, and means actuated by said first named motor for swinging;y said frame at will.

9. In a long-wall@ mining machine-,thefcom bination of a bodyportiompdevices for supporting andl moving said* bodyfportion for ward and: back, a motor carriedl by said' body' portionl 'for actuating said2 devices, az frame projecting from and extending acrossthe en`- tire front end of said body portion kand-hav'- ingits lower facel disposed in. substantially the plane of the lower face of the supporting devices,'a travelingicutter movaj-ble in front of the proj ect-ing frame from one side of the body portion to the other side thereof, a motor mounted on said body portion, and devices actuated thereby for operating said cutter, a conveyor traveling over the upper face of said frame in a direction substantially at right angles to the forward movement of the body portion, means actuated by said last named motor for operating said conveyor, a vertically disposed frame at one side of said body portion, a movable cutter carried there'- by for cutting a vertical korf, means actuated by said iirst named motorA oroperating said movable cutter on the vertical frame, and means actuated by saidy iirst named motor for swinging said frame at will, a cutting device carried by said body portion for cutting a recess for a roof beam, a vertical standard supporting said last named cutting device,

means actuated by said second motor foroperating` said last named cutting device, and manually operated means for raising and lowering` said last named cutting device.

l0. In a longwall mining machine, the comoperating' meansftherefor; n

naaien of a body-portan, movable devices" for supporting andmoving -s-aid body portion forward and back, a framesupported by said body portiong andM projecting from and` extending across the entire front end* of said bod-yf portion and having its lowerfaee disposed in substantiallythe planex of the lower face ot the supportingdevices,atravelV` ing cutter movabl'erinA front' of the' project-- ing frame :from onesicleof the body portion to the otherv sidethere'ofA for producing ai horizontal lierf toireceivethe constantly ad4 vancingframe, and ay conveyor'independent -oivtihe4 traveling' cutter' andi disposed-g adjacent the` activeI portion orfl the Inova-blel leutter' and?Y travel-ing vover the upper face vof said frame ina direction substantiallyA at' they bodyf` portion for receiving the' material breakingdownl asiti is-l cutan'd for convey-- ing thel materiali-received' thereon-,to one side' ofthebodyportion and outlet they forward path oftravell ofthe machine, andAl means` carried by t'l'ie' body portion ofI themachine` for operating said'l traveling-cutter and for operating-said conveyor'. Y

11i, 1in a longwall 'mining machine, thel combination of a `boldyy por-tion, movable de'- vices for supporting,and?moving'V said body portion forward andbaclna frame supported by sa-idf'"-bodyj portion an'dprojecting, from and-eXtending-jacross the enti-refront" end of said body` prtionand having its lower face i disposed in substantially` the plane of* the' loweriface' of the ,supp orting devices, atravelingv cutterA movablel in front of the project-l ing frame from oney side' of' the body por tion' to Y the other sidfe thereof for producing a horizontalf kerf toreceive'the constantly advancing frame', and aconveyor independent o'tlietraveling' cutter andL disposed ad-i y jacentI the) aeti'fveportionxof"V thefmovable1 cutter and'tra-veling over`r the upper' faceL of said fnameV ina Vdirecticn substantially at right angles to the forward movement of the, body portionfor' rreceivingf the material breaking"down' as it i'slv cut and fonconveying the maA'eri'alg reeeived thereon to"` one sid'e of therbody portion'- and out of'thedorwardpath of travell of the machineyjand* means# carried by the body" portion off the-machine forl operating?sla-idl traveling cutter fand for `operating said conveyor, said? trame atY the delivery' end' thereof being; inclined' upward- 1y whereby -said-'traveling cutter may` pass beneath the frame forengagement' withL thelay-'said body' portion and projectingI fromv extending across the entire1 front' end' or said body portion and having its'lowerface disposed inI substantially" the- -plane off the kIU lower .face of the supporting devices, a vertically disposed shaft` carried by said body portion intermediate the sides thereof and adjacent ther forward end thereof, means on said body portion for actuating'said shaft, an'operating rsprocket wheel carried by said shaft at the lower end thereof, an endless traveling cutter movable across the front portion of the projecting frame from one side of t-he body portiontothe other side thereof and over said sprocket wheel, and a conveyor independentofthe traveling cutter and disposed adjacent the active portion ofthe movablecutter and traveling over the upper face of the frame in a direction substantially at right angles to the forward movement of the body portion. v Y, Y 13. In a longwall mining machine, the combination ofV abody portion, caterpillar tractors for supporting and moving said bodyportion ,forward and back, a frame carried by saidbody portion and projecting from and extendingy across the entire front end of said body portion andhavingits lower face disposed in substantially the plane of the lower face ofthe tractors, a driving motor mounted on said 'body portion for actuating said. tractors, va traveling lcutter located entirely in front ofthe tractorsand movable acrossthe lfront portion of the projecting frame from one side ofsaid body portion to the otherside thereof for producing a horizontal lrerf to receive the constantly advancing frame moved forward by the actuation of the tractors, and a conveyor independent of the ytraveling cutter and disposed adjacent the activeV portion ofthe movable cutter and traveling over the upperface of Said frame and in a direction substantially atV right angles to the forward movement'of the body portion forreceiving `the material breaking down as it is cut and for conveying the 1n`a terial received thereon to one side ofthe body portion and out o f the forward path of travel ofA the machine.

V14. In a longwall mining machine, the combination of a body portion, propelling means on Vwhich. said body portion is mounted for movement `forward and back, a frame carried by said body portion and projecting from andextending across'the entire front i end of said body portion and having its lower Gil face disposed in substantially'the plane ofthe lower face of Vthe propelling means, a traveling cutter movable acrossthe front p ortion of said projectingwframe from one side of the body portion to the other side thereof for producing aV horizontal lrerf to receive the constantlyadvancing frame, a second frame carried by the'bodyportion at one side thereofa vertically disposed v traveling.cutter` mountedonlsaid second frame Yfor cutting a vertical kerf, andra conveyorindependent `of the traveling cutter and disposed adjacent the active portion of the movable cutterl and traveling over the upper face of said first named frame in a direction substantially at rightrangles to theforward movement of the body portion, for vreceiving the material breaking down as it is cut and for conveying the material received thereon to oneside of the body portion and out of the forward path of travel of the machine.

15. In a mining machine, the combination of a body portion, means for supporting and propelling said body portion, an endless verticallydisposed cutter-bar, a frame pivoted to ysaid body v portion and supporting said cutter bar, manually'controlled power means for shifting said frame, a plurality of staggered pressure blocks carried by said frame, an actuating wedge associated with each blockand movable in the planeof the frame, manually controlled power means for moving said Wedges, said blocks being rconnected to said wedges whereby'vwhenthe wedges are retracted, thev blocks are. Withdrawn, said manually controlled powermeans including acylinderV for each` wedge, a piston in said cylindera piston rod connecting the piston to the, wedge, a valve controlled means for supplying hydraulic. pressure to said cylinder for moving, the pistons, said valve controlled mechanism including a lever connected to the valve intermediate its ends, a roel; lever Con-V t." knected to one end of said valve lever rand in tures. l Y H ALEXANDER M. MARION. EMIL C. GERRY. v 

